The Story
The Porch at Schenley opened in 2012 in the heart of Oakland, directly adjacent to Schenley Plaza and the Carnegie Library. The restaurant was developed by eat'n Park Hospitality Group as a farm-to-table concept built around seasonal ingredients sourced from local Pennsylvania farms.
The Porch quickly became a gathering place for University of Pittsburgh students, Carnegie Mellon faculty, museum visitors, and Oakland residents. Its open-air patio overlooking Schenley Plaza is one of the most popular outdoor dining spots in Pittsburgh, and the restaurant has helped define Oakland as more than just a university neighborhood.
With a menu that changes seasonally and a bar program featuring local craft beverages, The Porch represents the evolution of Pittsburgh dining from chains and diners to locally rooted, ingredient-driven restaurants accessible to everyone.
What Makes It Pittsburgh
The Porch sits at the crossroads of Pittsburgh's cultural and academic life. Steps from the Carnegie Museums, Phipps Conservatory, and two major universities, it serves as a communal table for one of Pittsburgh's most diverse neighborhoods. The farm-to-table approach connects urban Oakland to Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage.
The restaurant's success helped spark a broader revival of Oakland's dining scene, proving that the neighborhood could support restaurants beyond the typical campus pizza joints. It is Pittsburgh's living room, a place where town and gown meet over good food.